U.S. Calls For ‘Inclusive, Fair, Transparent’ Afghan Vote

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has expressed hope that Afghanistan’s upcoming presidential election will mark a "historic" democratic transition in the country.

Afghans are to vote on April 5 on a successor to President Hamid Karzai.

In a statement on April 2, Kerry called the elections "a pivotal moment after more than a decade of sacrifice and struggle."

"By committing to an inclusive, fair, and transparent process, Afghanistan's leaders will contribute to an outcome that is broadly accepted by Afghans and that strengthens the unity of the country and its democratic future," Kerry added.

He also said the peaceful handover of power will be “just as important as the progress achieved over the past decade in building a stronger, more secure and prosperous Afghanistan."